Introduction

Rural Pharmacies Struggle to Survive
by Candi Helseth
Although telepharmacy is helping rural pharmacies survive and extend services, they still face challenges from large competitors.

Remote Pharmacy Services Offer Quality Assurance
by Candi Helseth
Remote pharmacies can offer services and oversight to rural hospitals without full-time pharmacists.

Nationwide Collaborative Aims to Improve Patient Safety
by Candi Helseth
More than 100 teams across the United States are working on strategies to prevent medication misuse in their clinics and hospitals.

340B Program Offers Reduced Rate Prescription Drugs to Rural Communities
The 340B Drug Pricing Program lets rural hospitals save on outpatient drugs.

Challenges for Human Services
by Tom Corbett, Ph.D.
Happy Days Are Here Again-or Not
Before it’s over, the recession could end up widening income disparities in the U.S., particularly in rural areas.

Look What’s Coming
by Wayne Myers, M.D.
Patient Volleying
As long as there is a surplus of specialists and no system that controls their costs, “patient volleying” among referring specialists will continue.

Around the Country
by Candi Helseth
MARP Program Helps N.C. Clinics Find and Track Patients' Free Meds
A software package is helping patients and clinics gain access to free prescription drugs.

PharmAssist Program Helps Patients Manage Mail Order Medications
A state program is letting residents have face-to-face consultations with pharmacists, regardless of where they get their meds.

Rural Spotlight
An Interview with Kip Smith
by Beth Blevins
The Executive Director for the Health Information Exchange of Montana talks about making the jump from finance to rural health, working in search and rescue, and laying fiber optic lines across the frontier.